Afrikaans — Second Language 0548
Build reading, writing and listening skills. Develop vocabulary and practise understanding and communicating information in everyday contexts.
What you'll cover
- Reading objectives
- Writing objectives
- Listening objectives
- Assessment skills · Paper 1
- Assessment skills · Paper 2
Published syllabus exam years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030. Confirm exam-series and centre availability with your school and Cambridge.
Cambridge IGCSE Afrikaans as a Second Language 0548 syllabus map
2025–2027 Version 2 and 2028–2030 Version 2
15 of 15 sections have teaching and practice
Start the learning pathwayStudy options and assessment
17 original lessons map all 12 Cambridge assessment objectives (R1–R4, W1–W4 and L1–L4), the four Paper 1 reading exercise formats, both Paper 1 writing formats and all five Paper 2 listening formats. Each lesson has an explained example and Guided, Independent and Transfer practice. Cambridge lists 0548 in Administrative zones 2 and 3 only; the published syllabus says candidates can enter in the November series. Check the current subject page and your exams officer for your centre, year and entry route. This is an original starter sequence, not a complete 130-guided-hour course or a timed specimen paper. Browser speech synthesis is supplemental practice, not Cambridge audio; an Afrikaans voice may be unavailable or use unsuitable pronunciation, accent or pacing. No speaking component is assessed in 0548. Writing examples are self-review models, not Cambridge marks or grades. A qualified Afrikaans teacher should review the original language before this is described as publication-ready.
Choose the syllabus for the examination year: 2025–2027 Version 2, or 2028–2030 Version 2. Cambridge says the 2028–2030 version has no significant teaching changes. Entry is limited to zones 2 and 3 and the syllabus is offered in the November series. Confirm current centre availability.
Choose your paper route
- Exams in 2025–2027Paper 1 Reading and Writing · Paper 2 Listening · A*–G
2025–2027 syllabus Version 2. November series only; zones 2 and 3 only. Paper 1: 2 hours, 60 marks, 70%. Paper 2: approximately 50 minutes, 40 marks, 30%. The syllabus update changes specimen marking guidance; use the updated materials for practice.
- Exams in 2028–2030Paper 1 Reading and Writing · Paper 2 Listening · A*–G
2028–2030 syllabus Version 2, published October 2025; Cambridge reports no significant teaching changes. November series only; zones 2 and 3 only. Use the relevant year’s syllabus and specimen materials.
Cambridge recommends that learners have studied Afrikaans at school and/or in their community. It gives about 130 guided learning hours as a planning guide; this starter sequence is shorter. Check the exam-year syllabus and centre entry.
View syllabus coverage
The published subject content is organised as Reading, Writing and Listening; the examples of contemporary contexts are suggested and not exhaustive. This map links all 12 assessment objectives and the exact two-paper format. The former optional Speaking component and summary-writing exercise are not part of the current route. This is an original starter sequence, not a complete 130-guided-hour course or a timed specimen paper. Browser speech synthesis is supplemental practice, not Cambridge audio; an Afrikaans voice may be unavailable or use unsuitable pronunciation, accent or pacing. No speaking component is assessed in 0548. Writing examples are self-review models, not Cambridge marks or grades. A qualified Afrikaans teacher should review the original language before this is described as publication-ready.
Reading objectives
- Understand specific factual informationR1
- Understand connections between ideas, opinions and attitudesR2
- Identify and select details for a specific purposeR3
- Understand implied meaningR4
Writing objectives
- Communicate information, ideas and opinionsW1
- Organise ideas into coherent textW2
- Use appropriate grammatical structures and vocabularyW3
- Use appropriate register and style for purpose and audienceW4
Listening objectives
- Understand specific information in spoken textsL1
- Understand speakers’ ideas, opinions and attitudesL2
- Understand connections between speakers’ ideas and attitudesL3
- Understand implied information in spoken textsL4
Assessment skills · Paper 1
- Paper 1 · four reading exercisesP1-READ
- Paper 1 · informal and formal/semi-formal writingP1-WRITE
Assessment skills · Paper 2
- Paper 2 · five listening exercisesP2-LISTEN
Suggested contemporary contexts · supplemental practice
- Daily life, school and relationshipsCTX-DAILY · Supplemental StudyForA practice, not a syllabus section
- Travel, health and servicesCTX-PRACTICAL · Supplemental StudyForA practice, not a syllabus section
- Conservation and environmentCTX-ENVIRONMENT · Supplemental StudyForA practice, not a syllabus section
- Culture, history, science, technology, arts and achievementCTX-CONTEMPORARY · Supplemental StudyForA practice, not a syllabus section
Assessment limitation
- Cambridge-quality Afrikaans recordings and exam audioOFFICIAL-AUDIO · Assessment limitation, not a syllabus sectionTeacher, centre, or specialist assessment required
- Calibrated human review of extended Afrikaans writingWRITING-MARKING · Assessment limitation, not a syllabus sectionTeacher, centre, or specialist assessment required
Practice the papers
Practice the papers
- Reading and Writing · six exercisesPaper 1 · 9 lessonsFind facts and select relevant detailsConnect ideas, opinions and attitudesInfer what a writer impliesDevelop information, ideas and opinionsOrganise ideas into a coherent textUse accurate Afrikaans grammar and vocabularyMatch the response to its audience and formatPractise the four Paper 1 reading formatsPlan the two Paper 1 writing responses
2 hours · 60 marks · 70%. Four reading exercises (30 marks): short-answer, multiple matching, brief notes and six three-option multiple-choice questions. Two writing exercises (30 marks): an informal email and a formal/semi-formal response, each 120–160 words. The reading summary was removed; no speaking is assessed.
- Listening · five exercisesPaper 2 · 4 lessonsListen for names, times and key detailsFollow speaker opinions and how ideas connectInfer what a speaker meansPrepare for the five Paper 2 listening exercises
Approximately 50 minutes including six minutes to transfer answers · 40 marks · 30%. Five exercises, 40 multiple-choice questions; recordings are heard twice. Browser speech synthesis is original supplemental practice, not Cambridge audio.
Lessons and worked examples
Choose where to begin
Choose a lesson, try the practice and explain the idea without your notes. Your study checks help you decide what to review.
- 01
Find facts and select relevant details
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 02
Connect ideas, opinions and attitudes
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 03
Infer what a writer implies
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 04
Develop information, ideas and opinions
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 05
Organise ideas into a coherent text
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 06
Use accurate Afrikaans grammar and vocabulary
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 07
Match the response to its audience and format
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 08
Listen for names, times and key details
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 09
Follow speaker opinions and how ideas connect
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 10
Infer what a speaker means
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 11
Read and write about daily life and relationships
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 12
Communicate about travel, health and services
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 13
Discuss conservation and environmental choices
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 14
Read about culture, science and technology
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 15
Practise the four Paper 1 reading formats
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 16
Plan the two Paper 1 writing responses
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 17
Prepare for the five Paper 2 listening exercises
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started
These checks record your study activity and self-assessment, not a mastery score. Check the course coverage map for available lessons and remaining topics.
Practise this subject
Topic tests: Easy, Normal and Difficult
Choose a topic, save your answers and compare your reasoning with worked models. See available tests and any coverage gaps.
Browse 15 topics →No StudyForA practice set is published for this exact qualification yet. Use the official papers below or in the resource guide.